Steve Rutledge, a member of Whitby Sunrise Rotary, has been going to Laos for the past 16 years and our club has supported his project since the inception. While rich in culture and tradition, their education, healthcare and hygiene conditions are severely lacking and Steve is passionate about helping the people of Laos. Last year, his committee raised more money, made possible by contributions from multiple Rotary Clubs across Canada, including those from Southern and Central Ontario plus Vancouver, and was able to accomplish 2 ½ major water projects. It was very difficult as the rainy season exceeded the normal flow, flooding all the roads and causing bridges to collapse. The locals called it the 100 year storm.
Steve, his committee and a local workforce of men, women and children built a school and this year, he’s going back to make sure that the school has running water and toilets. He showed a video of one of the water projects, 3 ½ km of trench was hand dug by the locals and a huge cement water tank was built for the school. They were able to give out hundreds of new water filters allowing thousands of villagers to enjoy clean safe drinking water. Steve goes to Laos for four months every year and he will be leaving this December.
The cost of a water filter is $125. It lasts 6-8 years and provides clean water for 8 people. The water filter can be individualized by placing a photo of the donors on the filter. The village representatives conveyed their gratitude for the water supply, emphasizing its importance for their families.
To read more about this project, go to https://www.rotarywhitbysunrise.com/sitepage/international/laos-projects.